Volunteers at Reading’s Bicycle Kitchen: Jessica Sage,Lotty Carey, Dave Sage (standing behind), Lawrence Bowyer, Alan Vickers and Anne Carey. Vivienne Johnson
Currently housed in the town’s iconic building Jackson’s Corner, Reading’s Bicycle Kitchen is part of the new buzz around cycling that is sweeping the town. But what exactly is the Bicycle Kitchen?
‘The Bike Kitchen holds drop in sessions where volunteers help people to repair their own bikes.’
said Jessica Sage a Bicycle Kitchen volunteer. ‘The tools and kit such as stands and workbenches are all there for everyone to use and a volunteer mechanic will help you mend your bike and teach you how to do it for yourself next time you have a problem.’
The price to use the Bicycle Kitchen as a drop in is £4 an hour for the first hour and £2 an hour after that. They try to keep their prices as low as possible and if you are not earning, if you take evidence with you, you can use the facilities for free.
The Bike Kitchen received funding from Reading Borough Council and also raises money by renovating and selling donated bikes and second hand parts.
There are currently three drop-in sessions per week: Wednesday and Thursday evenings 6-9pm and Saturdays 10am-2pm and are situated in Jackson’s Corner, 1-9 Kings Road, Reading, RG1 3AS.
If anyone has a bike or bike parts that they would like to donate they would be gratefully received.
Donations can be dropped off during opening hours but if you aren’t able to get along to Jackson’s contact the volunteers by using the email address below and someone will arrange to pick it up from you.
The bicycle kitchen is also looking for volunteers.
You can contact them on i This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
